Canadians to Baird: Israel's Gaza Blockade Is Illegal, We Will Sail to Gaza

[JohnyCanuck]

Al-Jazeerah, CCUN, June 6, 2011

MONTREAL, QUEBEC-

The Canadian Boat to Gaza (CBG) is dismissing Foreign Affairs Minister Baird's misinformation about the upcoming flotilla, and is promising to sail with the Freedom Flotilla II next month. John Baird, newly appointed Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister, has taken to discouraging Canadians from participating in the upcoming flotilla, which aims to break the siege of Gaza.

CBG views Minister Baird's statement as an attempt to abdicate the Canadian Government's obligation to ensure the safety of the Canadians who will be on board the flotilla, including the Canadian boat Tahrir and to justify, in advance, any crimes Israel may commit against peaceful unarmed civilians from Canada and all over the world, as it did a year ago tomorrow.

"We are sailing to change the unjust and illegal situation Israel imposes on Gaza and to challenge the Canadian government's support for those policies," says Wendy Goldsmith, CBG steering committee member.

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"We would like to remind Mr. Baird that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), one of the official channels to send aid to Gaza, has itself said: "all States have an obligation to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of all relief consignments, equipment and personnel ," not just those passing through channels approved by the government of Israel." (1) said Lotayef.

http://www.aljazeerah.info/Opinion%20Editorials/2011/June/6%20o/Canadians%20to%20Baird,%20Israel%27s%20Gaza%20Blockade%20Is%20Illegal,%20We%20Will%20Sail%20to%20Gaza%20-%20CBG.htm

[JohnyCanuck]

1. 'Why I'm sailing to Gaza'

The political climate in Canada, and indeed much of the world, in relation to the upcoming sailing, is not good. In an effort to un-friendly any and all ports, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has asked that all Mediterranean countries not assist in the harbouring and sailing of Freedom Flotilla II boats. On the home front, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird issued a press release on May 27,asking Canadians to not participate in the flotilla, noting that Israel has a right to defend its borders, especially against weapons smuggling. The implications of this press release will unfold over the upcoming days.

The Canadian Boat to Gaza has stood defiant in the face of such thinly-veiled allegations, and has held firm on its purpose. The steering committee has rejected outright the presence of any weapons aboard, and continues to invite independent observer-verification of this. If Canada's official aid to Palestine comes in the form of prison and courthouse building and security training, which it does, the humanitarian aid will come aboard the Tahrir. And while John Baird calls for the delivery of aid through Israel, through the International Red Cross, the Tahrir refuses to let Israel play prison warden with the people of Palestine any longer.

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I have never met anyone aboard the Tahrir, and know them only through Internet communication. We come from all corners of the Canadian landscape, plucked from peaceful pockets of resistance. There is a retired first-nations' chief. A Quaker. A tweeter. A grandmother. A self-professed 'queer filmmaker,' and others. We represent groups, or come alone with our visions of peace. All told, we are supposed to number 45, on a 50-metre ship. With my experience in catering lunch clubs for local offices in the Halifax area, I am to be the head chef.

I do not know if these people feel scared. If they feel ready to die, or be shot, or be hurt, or be strip-searched, or be put in a foreign prison and know that your own country's government is complicit. I had the opportunity to interview Kevin Neish last year, witness to the massacre aboard the Mavi, and I wanted to be as selfless with my time on this planet. But this is my first Freedom Flotilla, and at times my mind races.

http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/canadianboattogaza/2011/06/why-im-sailing-gaza

[JohnyCanuck]

2. Open letter to the NDP: Will you join us in opposing inhumane blockade of Gaza?

I am writing to you to ask for your public support for the Canadian Boat to Gaza to challenge the illegal and inhumane Israeli blockade.


I am one of the more than 30 Canadians who will embark on that journey later this month, and whose safety depends in part on whether politicians like you have the courage to take a public stand in support of our opposition to the siege of Gaza.

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Many of us are frankly very disappointed that Jack took a public position in the media about our campaign after meeting with a foreign ambassador and without even taking the time to meet with the many Canadian organizations such as Independent Jewish Voices who support our campaign. We would hope the voices of Canadian civil society would be heeded at least as much as that of a foreign power.

Canadians already know what to expect on these issues from the two (now one-and-a-half) old-line parties. Many Canadian voters are looking for fresh new leadership that takes bold positions in support of human rights and international law. Will you be that leadership? Will you stand with us and with the Palestinians of Gaza?

In solidarity,

David Heap

London, Ontario